Uneasy calm in Kailashahar, Birajit slams govt

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 17, 2024

An uneasy calm prevailed in the entire Kailashahar subdivision with reports of communal tension between Hindus and Muslims prevailing in different pockets. Sources said peace meetings have been conducted in different areas to restore peace. However, local MLA and former President of Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee alleged that the state administration had failed to handle the situation and the situation is still tense. On being asked as to what exactly happened that led to the promulgation of the section 163 BNSS, he said, “Yesterday, fire broke out in a local mosque and initially the reason behind the fire couldn’t be ascertained. As the news spread, thousands of people gathered in front of the mosque. Some people tried to incite the Muslims but finally we came to know that the fire broke out because of a short circuit. Accordingly, the crowd was dispersed.”

Later in the evening, Sinha said, a group of Muslim youth created some trouble which further aggravated the situation. “I have spoken to senior police officials and urged them to arrest those who are creating trouble. Right now, I came to know that one Hindu family was attacked. Such kind of incidents can’t be controlled if the police fear law couldn’t be established in the minds of the miscreants. Unfortunately, police have been acting partially and those who are involved in fueling tension are enjoying their field days,” Sinha lamented. According to the senior Congress leader, he was prevented from taking out a “peace” rally. “On my individual capacity, I have asked the people from both the communities to join a peace rally. The rally could have changed the situation now prevalent all over. And, one minister is consistently making hate filled posts on social media platforms against the Muslims. In such a situation, the administration shouldn’t act biased. Whoever is responsible should be arrested immediately to bring back order,” Sinha added. The Congress MLA also refrained from attending the peace meeting conducted by the administration. “The administration is functioning keeping the local MLA in the dark. The peace meetings have been turned into BJP’s local meetings. Situation can never be restored this way,” he added.